If you have been arrested or charged with a crime, your entire future is at stake - you need the best criminal defense attorney available, to ensure that your rights are protected. Find a criminal defense lawyer in your state, specializing in your type of case, here at the State Bar Attorneys Directory, powered by Best of the Web. We list thousands of the best criminal defense firms in the United States; all of our listings have been screened and verified for your peace of mind. So whatever criminal charges you are facing, you can be confident in choosing a criminal defense attorney from our listings.

Conan and Herman Attorneys at Law
207 E. Livingston St, Suite A
Orlando, FL 32801

Central Florida criminal defense attorneys with over 40 years of combined experience in criminal law.

Website: conanandherman.com/

Bronze Sponsor
4.9
104 Verified Reviews

Phone(407) 872-3999

Conan and Herman Attorneys at Law
207 E. Livingston St, Suite A
Orlando, FL 32801

Central Florida criminal defense attorneys with over 40 years of combined experience in criminal law.

Leader, Leader, & Zucker PLLC
633 S Andrews Ave
Suite 201
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301

Fort Lauderdale DUI lawyer who can defend clients against any DUI charges.

4.7
13 Verified Reviews

Phone(954) 523-2020

Leader, Leader, & Zucker PLLC
633 S Andrews Ave
Suite 201
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301

Fort Lauderdale DUI lawyer who can defend clients against any DUI charges.

Albaugh Law Firm
301 W Bay St
Suite 1464
Jacksonville, FL 32202

Group of experienced attorneys who are committed to help clients facing misdemeanor or felony charges; are contemplating a divorce or other family law issue; are considering bankruptcy; or are facing foreclosure in Jacksonville and St. Augustine FL.

5.0
10 Verified Reviews

Phone(904) 471-3434

Albaugh Law Firm
301 W Bay St
Suite 1464
Jacksonville, FL 32202

Group of experienced attorneys who are committed to help clients facing misdemeanor or felony charges; are contemplating a divorce or other family law issue; are considering bankruptcy; or are facing foreclosure in Jacksonville and St. Augustine FL.

O'Mara Law Group
221 NE Ivanhoe Blvd
#200
Orlando, FL 32804

O'Mara Law Group is the private law practice of Mark O'Mara. Mark O'Mara has been practicing law in Central Florida since 1983. He served as a prosecutor before becoming a defense attorney. Mark O'Mara is Board Certified in Criminal Trial Law and Marital and Family Law. After gaining national recognition for leading the defense in the Zimmerman case, Mark O'Mara…

4.6
10 Verified Reviews

Phone(407) 413-8822

O'Mara Law Group
221 NE Ivanhoe Blvd
#200
Orlando, FL 32804

O'Mara Law Group is the private law practice of Mark O'Mara. Mark O'Mara has been practicing law in Central Florida since 1983. He served as a prosecutor before becoming a defense attorney. Mark O'Mara is Board Certified in Criminal Trial Law and Marital and Family Law. After gaining national recognition for leading the defense in the Zimmerman case, Mark O'Mara…

Hager & Schwartz, P.A.
12 SE 7th Street
Suite 611
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301

Providing representation for a wide variety of criminal law related charges including DUI and theft related crimes. From the Hager & Schwartz, P.A. website: Our Fort Lauderdale criminal defense attorneys from Hager & Schwartz provide strategic defense for individuals facing misdemeanor or felony charges. Contact us for a FREE case review. We are available 24//7.

5.0
10 Verified Reviews

Phone(954) 840-8713

Hager & Schwartz, P.A.
12 SE 7th Street
Suite 611
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301

Providing representation for a wide variety of criminal law related charges including DUI and theft related crimes. From the Hager & Schwartz, P.A. website: Our Fort Lauderdale criminal defense attorneys from Hager & Schwartz provide strategic defense for individuals facing misdemeanor or felony charges. Contact us for a FREE case review. We are available 24//7.

Hager & Schwartz, P.A.
140 South Beach Street
Suite 401
Daytona Beach, FL 32114

Offers aggressive criminal defense from an attorney in Daytona Beach, FL. From the Hager & Schwartz, P.A. website: Former state prosecutors with over 40 years' combined experience, you can trust in the Daytona Beach criminal lawyers at Hager & Schwartz.

5.0
10 Verified Reviews

Phone(386) 693-1637

Hager & Schwartz, P.A.
140 South Beach Street
Suite 401
Daytona Beach, FL 32114

Offers aggressive criminal defense from an attorney in Daytona Beach, FL. From the Hager & Schwartz, P.A. website: Former state prosecutors with over 40 years' combined experience, you can trust in the Daytona Beach criminal lawyers at Hager & Schwartz.

Herman Law PA
1601 Forum Place
Suite 505
West Palm Beach, FL 33401

Full-service law firm focusing on criminal defense and personal injury litigation to obtain reduced charges, decreased fines, and more on clients' behalf.

5.0
10 Verified Reviews

Phone(561) 720-2417

Herman Law PA
1601 Forum Place
Suite 505
West Palm Beach, FL 33401

Full-service law firm focusing on criminal defense and personal injury litigation to obtain reduced charges, decreased fines, and more on clients' behalf.

Joshi Law Firm, PA
1800 Pembrook Dr
Suite 200
Orlando, FL 32810

Joshi Law Firm, PA is a highly skilled and decorated criminal law firm, serving our community with the highest integrity and honor! We pride ourselves on hard-hitting, passionate representation, fighting for our clients to preserve their rights, their fam From the Joshi Law Firm, PA website: Orlando criminal defense lawyers at Joshi Law Firm, PA defend people charged with Florida…

5.0
10 Verified Reviews

Phone(407) 661-1109

Joshi Law Firm, PA
1800 Pembrook Dr
Suite 200
Orlando, FL 32810

Joshi Law Firm, PA is a highly skilled and decorated criminal law firm, serving our community with the highest integrity and honor! We pride ourselves on hard-hitting, passionate representation, fighting for our clients to preserve their rights, their fam From the Joshi Law Firm, PA website: Orlando criminal defense lawyers at Joshi Law Firm, PA defend people charged with Florida…

Kessler Law Firm
207 South 2nd St
200
Fort Pierce, FL 34950

Criminal Defense Lawyer Michael Kessler Your Go-To Guy For DUI

No Reviews Yet

Phone(772) 466-4900

Kessler Law Firm
207 South 2nd St
200
Fort Pierce, FL 34950

Criminal Defense Lawyer Michael Kessler Your Go-To Guy For DUI

Leifert & Leifert
2101 Vista Pkwy
Suite 1006
West Palm Beach, FL 33411

Leifert & Leifert is a criminal defense firm located in West Palm Beach, with numerous other offices in South Florida to best serve their clients. The attorneys at the firm are a dedicated, professional, and aggressive team with years of experience as defense lawyers. They also bring their experience as former prosecutors to the table.

5.0
10 Verified Reviews

Phone(561) 833-4300

Leifert & Leifert
2101 Vista Pkwy
Suite 1006
West Palm Beach, FL 33411

Leifert & Leifert is a criminal defense firm located in West Palm Beach, with numerous other offices in South Florida to best serve their clients. The attorneys at the firm are a dedicated, professional, and aggressive team with years of experience as defense lawyers. They also bring their experience as former prosecutors to the table.

Leifert & Leifert Criminal Defense
2160 W Atlantic Ave
2nd Floor
Delray Beach, FL 33445

Leifert & Leifert is a criminal defense team of former prosecutors. The attorneys exhibit professionalism and dedication to the practice of criminal defens. Their many years of experience as defense lawyers, as well as their experience as former South Florida prosecutors, make Leifert & Leifert the ideal team for those facing criminal, DUI and traffic charges.

4.6
10 Verified Reviews

Phone(561) 988-8000

Leifert & Leifert Criminal Defense
2160 W Atlantic Ave
2nd Floor
Delray Beach, FL 33445

Leifert & Leifert is a criminal defense team of former prosecutors. The attorneys exhibit professionalism and dedication to the practice of criminal defens. Their many years of experience as defense lawyers, as well as their experience as former South Florida prosecutors, make Leifert & Leifert the ideal team for those facing criminal, DUI and traffic charges.

Reep Coleman & Stubbendorff
9303 Seminole Blvd
Suite B
Seminole, FL 33772

Respond to any criminal accusation filed against you in a court of law with the reasoned representation offered by Justin Reep at Reep Coleman & Stubbendorff. Justin is an experienced Seminole criminal attorney who acts as your voice during any criminal proceeding and subsequent bond hearing.

5.0
10 Verified Reviews

Phone(727) 330-6502

Reep Coleman & Stubbendorff
9303 Seminole Blvd
Suite B
Seminole, FL 33772

Respond to any criminal accusation filed against you in a court of law with the reasoned representation offered by Justin Reep at Reep Coleman & Stubbendorff. Justin is an experienced Seminole criminal attorney who acts as your voice during any criminal proceeding and subsequent bond hearing.

The Skier Law Firm, P.A.
1655 Palm Beach Lakes Blvd
Ste. 1012
West Palm Beach, FL 33401

West Palm Beach criminal defense attorney offers legal representation to those accused of a crime. From the The Skier Law Firm, P.A. website: The West Palm Beach criminal attorneys at The Skier Law Firm, P.A., want you to be confident that we have the skill and experience to help you.

5.0
10 Verified Reviews

Phone(561) 820-1508

The Skier Law Firm, P.A.
1655 Palm Beach Lakes Blvd
Ste. 1012
West Palm Beach, FL 33401

West Palm Beach criminal defense attorney offers legal representation to those accused of a crime. From the The Skier Law Firm, P.A. website: The West Palm Beach criminal attorneys at The Skier Law Firm, P.A., want you to be confident that we have the skill and experience to help you.

Zelman Law
1030 East Lafayette Street,
Suite 9
Tallahassee, FL 32301

Tallahassee criminal defense attorney to clients you through difficult times. From the Zelman Law website: Tallahassee criminal defense attorneys Zelman Law are devoted to representation in criminal defense, DUI, violent crimes, white collar crimes and more.

5.0
10 Verified Reviews

Phone(850) 765-5948

Zelman Law
1030 East Lafayette Street,
Suite 9
Tallahassee, FL 32301

Tallahassee criminal defense attorney to clients you through difficult times. From the Zelman Law website: Tallahassee criminal defense attorneys Zelman Law are devoted to representation in criminal defense, DUI, violent crimes, white collar crimes and more.

Luke Newman, P.A.
908 Thomasville Rd
Tallahassee, FL 32303

Since 2004, attorney Luke Newman has been fighting and winning on behalf of the people of Tallahassee who have been arrested and charged with Florida and federal misdemeanor and felony offenses. He has been favorably reviewed by his clients and legal orga From the Luke Newman, P.A. website: Tallahassee criminal attorney Luke Newman defends people charged in Florida & federal…

4.4
10 Verified Reviews

Phone(850) 224-4444

Luke Newman, P.A.
908 Thomasville Rd
Tallahassee, FL 32303

Since 2004, attorney Luke Newman has been fighting and winning on behalf of the people of Tallahassee who have been arrested and charged with Florida and federal misdemeanor and felony offenses. He has been favorably reviewed by his clients and legal orga From the Luke Newman, P.A. website: Tallahassee criminal attorney Luke Newman defends people charged in Florida & federal…

OA Law Firm
550 N Reo St
#300
Tampa, FL 33609

Omar Abdelghany has won hundreds of cases in Florida criminal courts and dedicates his legal practice exclusively to defending people accused of criminal conduct.

4.5
10 Verified Reviews

Phone(813) 461-5291

OA Law Firm
550 N Reo St
#300
Tampa, FL 33609

Omar Abdelghany has won hundreds of cases in Florida criminal courts and dedicates his legal practice exclusively to defending people accused of criminal conduct.

Scriven Law, P.A.
402 E 7th Ave
Tampa, FL 33602

Tampa criminal defense attorney Bryant Scriven is a former Hillsborough County prosecutor with experience prosecuting misdemeanors, felonies, DUI and traffic offenses, and juvenile delinquency.

4.6
10 Verified Reviews

Phone(813) 226-8522

Scriven Law, P.A.
402 E 7th Ave
Tampa, FL 33602

Tampa criminal defense attorney Bryant Scriven is a former Hillsborough County prosecutor with experience prosecuting misdemeanors, felonies, DUI and traffic offenses, and juvenile delinquency.

Taracks & Associates
3210 W Cypress St
Tampa, FL 33607

The Taracks and Associates is a full-service legal firm established for DUI, Criminal Defense and Family cases. No one plans to be charged with a criminal offense and ruin its future. We understand how daunting and upsetting the process can be, that is why we make sure to provide each case we handle with commitment, keenness, knowledge and aggressiveness. We…

4.5
10 Verified Reviews

Phone(813) 990-0599

Taracks & Associates
3210 W Cypress St
Tampa, FL 33607

The Taracks and Associates is a full-service legal firm established for DUI, Criminal Defense and Family cases. No one plans to be charged with a criminal offense and ruin its future. We understand how daunting and upsetting the process can be, that is why we make sure to provide each case we handle with commitment, keenness, knowledge and aggressiveness. We…

The Baez Law Firm
23 S Osceola Ave
Orlando, FL 32801

The Baez Law Firm offers clients top legal representation in criminal defense, civil rights, and civil litigation in south and central Florida, from Miami to Orlando to Tampa and all points in between. One of the most sought after trial attorneys in the country, attorney Jose Baez is nationally recognized for his unparalleled commitment to justice in the legal profession.

2.2
10 Verified Reviews

Phone(407) 705-2626

The Baez Law Firm
23 S Osceola Ave
Orlando, FL 32801

The Baez Law Firm offers clients top legal representation in criminal defense, civil rights, and civil litigation in south and central Florida, from Miami to Orlando to Tampa and all points in between. One of the most sought after trial attorneys in the country, attorney Jose Baez is nationally recognized for his unparalleled commitment to justice in the legal profession.

Thomas & Paulk, P.A.
217 N Howard Ave
Ste 100
Tampa, FL 33606

Thomas & Paulk, P.A. is a criminal defense firm representing the rights of the accused throughout Tampa, Florida in complex criminal litigation. If you are arrested or under investigation, Thomas & Paulk can help you with the situation. You shouldn't hesitate to turn to our criminal defense attorneys who are dedicated advocates for the rights of our clients. We are…

4.2
10 Verified Reviews

Phone(813) 321-7323

Thomas & Paulk, P.A.
217 N Howard Ave
Ste 100
Tampa, FL 33606

Thomas & Paulk, P.A. is a criminal defense firm representing the rights of the accused throughout Tampa, Florida in complex criminal litigation. If you are arrested or under investigation, Thomas & Paulk can help you with the situation. You shouldn't hesitate to turn to our criminal defense attorneys who are dedicated advocates for the rights of our clients. We are…

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Why State Bar Attorneys?

StateBarAttorneys is the best law firm directory curated by a team of editors that will help you find a trusted attorney with confidence in the legal area you require. Powered by Best of the Web, all lawyers listed in this legal directory provide testimonials and reviews to ensure their understanding of their state's laws have won cases and the best possible outcome for their clients in their field of expertise.

Talk To The Best Criminal Defense Attorney Now

Call Now: 1-877-771-1418

What Does a Criminal Defense Attorney Do?

Criminal defense lawyers work with people who have been accused of a crime. Their role is to ensure the defendant’s rights are upheld and that any eventual trial is fair and lawful. A good criminal defense attorney will research the case against you, investigate and review procedures taken against you, examine witnesses, gather evidence, and attempt to negotiate with prosecutors. You can rely on your criminal defense lawyer to advise you on the potential consequences of your plea and to explain a likely sentence. If no plea deal can be reached, your defense counsel will ultimately represent you in your trial. 

What Types of Crime Can a Criminal Defense Attorney Help With?

Criminal defense attorneys can work with any kind of criminal offense, from misdemeanors to murder.

In practice, however, many of the best criminal defense lawyers specialize in a particular area of crime. If you have been charged with DUI or DWI, for example, you will want to find the best DUI attorney near you.

Other criminal attorneys may specialize in defending those accused of violent crimes, sex crimes, or domestic violence, while still others may specialize in fraud, financial crimes, drugs charges, tax offenses, or immigration issues - whatever the charges against you, a recommended criminal attorney can handle it.

 

How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Criminal Defense Lawyer?

There are two ways of getting a criminal defense attorney. If you can afford it, you can choose and hire your own, in which case you are fully responsible for paying the attorney’s fees. Alternatively, if you cannot afford or do not want to hire your own defense counsel, the court may appoint a criminal defense lawyer for you, if you meet certain conditions, and in this case, the costs will be paid by the government. Normally, if you face a potential jail or prison sentence, you will be eligible for court-appointed representation. If you are not facing incarceration, you may or may not be eligible for free defense counsel, depending on your financial situation and state law. Even if you are not eligible for free counsel, you may be eligible for partially funded representation if you can demonstrate that you cannot afford a private defense attorney. 

If you choose to hire your own defense counsel, the cost will depend heavily on the type and complexity of your criminal case. For a misdemeanor, you may be looking at around $5000 in legal fees. For a felony, it could be upwards of $25,000. Criminal defense attorneys are not allowed to operate on a contingency fee basis, and many will require all or a substantial proportion of the fee to be paid upfront.

 

Tips for Finding a Criminal Defense Attorney

If you have been arrested, you will need to find a criminal defense attorney quickly, to secure your release and prepare for what lies ahead.

Having said that, don’t panic and pick the first criminal law firm you find in an internet search. Not only are you likely to be spending a great deal of money, but your future hinges on getting effective representation that you can trust. This could be one of the most important decisions of your life, so research is essential.

There are tens of thousands of criminal defense attorneys in the United States.

Start with people you know. If you know an attorney of any kind, they may be able to recommend a criminal defense attorney. If anyone you know has ever had to use one, you could also find a recommendation there.

Beyond personal recommendations, the best way to choose a criminal defense attorney is through our directory of screened and verified criminal defense lawyers across the US. Here you can easily narrow down your search to your state and to criminal defense firms that specialize in the relevant crime.

You can also read reviews right here in the directory, to get a feel for which are the most trusted criminal defense attorneys near you. 

 

FAQ On Hiring a Criminal Defense Attorney

1 - Can I represent myself in a criminal case?

You can, but a better question is whether you should.

Around 2% of defendants do choose to represent themselves, and are referred to as pro se defendants, from the Latin for ‘on behalf of themselves’.

In theory, you always have the right to represent yourself. In practice, the more serious the crime you are charged with, the riskier this strategy becomes. Not only do you risk not understanding the law involved, you may also fail to understand the procedural issues. Even if you do have a full grasp of what’s involved, you would probably suffer from a lack of experience, especially at trial, where you most likely do not have the skills to question or cross-examine witnesses or to eloquently provide your own defense.

Ultimately the decision is yours, but you are very strongly advised to use a criminal defense attorney, especially if you are facing potential incarceration. 

 

2 - Can I change my criminal defense attorney if I’m not happy?

If you have hired your own criminal defense lawyer, then yes, you can usually change lawyers if you wish. However, doing so may prove expensive, as your new criminal defense attorney will need to start from scratch.

If your defense counsel is court-appointed, you would need to demonstrate either a serious breakdown in the relationship or incompetence on the part of your lawyer in order for the court to approve your request to change attorneys.

In either case, the court can intervene to prevent a change of attorney in some cases, for example, if they feel the defendant is just playing for time and trying to delay the trial by seeking a new attorney.

 

3 - Do I need a criminal defense attorney if I’m going to plead guilty?

It’s always advisable to seek representation from an experienced defense attorney, even if you wish to plead guilty. The best criminal defense lawyers may be able to help you in several ways - perhaps by getting the charges against you reduced or by getting your sentence reduced. If the case against you is weak or flawed, your criminal defense attorney may even be able to get the charges dismissed completely. The key is to remember that prosecutors do not have your best interests in mind - that’s not their job. The only professional who will protect your interests first and foremost is your criminal defense attorney - so even if you wish to plead guilty, it is still worth relying on a defense counsel to get you through the process as unscathed as possible.

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